The Intentional Divorce Library

Divorce comes with more financial questions than anyone expects. This is where you'll find real answers on asset division, budgeting, retirement, and the mistakes that quietly cost women the most, written by a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who has helped clients navigate exactly what you're facing now.

No fluff, no fear tactics. Just the information you need to make clear-eyed decisions and protect the life you're building next.

Not sure where to start?

Every article here is written for a particular moment. Start with the stage that matches where you are, and you will find the handful of pieces that actually apply to you.

Browsing by topic instead? Every category is listed in the sidebar, from QDROs and the family home to co-parenting and life after divorce.

The Gift of Boundaries: Protecting Your Peace This Holiday Season co-parenting divorce coach holidays

A holiday boundary is simply a clear expectation about how you will interact: non-emergency messages answered during business hours only, the parenting plan followed as agreed, joint family events declined if they cost more than they give. State it calmly once, then follow through. Boundaries feel u...

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Financial Self-Care During the Holidays: A Guide for Recently Divorced Individuals certified divorce financial analyst financial planning holidays

If you are adjusting to new financial realities after a divorce, the holiday season can feel more overwhelming than joyful. The short version: set a number before you shop, decide what actually matters to you this year rather than matching last year, keep credit out of it where you can, and remember...

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Post-Divorce Parenting Conflict Around the Holidays co-parenting holidays

Ways to Manage the Stress of Parenting Conflict

For most of us, the holiday season is full of decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping gifts, and parties. While this can all be fun, we all know it's also stressful!

Then, there is the added pressure of parenting. School grading periods are ending, and ...

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5 Ways to Help Create a Happy Holiday for Your Kids co-parenting holidays kids and divorce

Holidays are a time for family, friends and spending time together, but this can be very complicated if you’re divorced and are trying to figure out how to make it a great holiday for your kids. And if it’s your first Christmas after a divorce, there will definitely be challenges. 

I still remember...

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Celebrating the Holidays after a Divorce holidays life after divorce

Whether Thanksgiving will be your first major holiday after your divorce or whether you’ve been divorced for many years, the holiday season can be tough. November and December holidays usually include a lot of annual traditions, and those may feel quite different after your divorce. 

Sometimes peop...

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Resources for Your First Holiday After Divorce co-parenting holidays life after divorce

Your first Christmas or holiday after your divorce is going to be different. I still remember my first Christmas. I struggled to keep my routines as close to “normal” as possible, especially for my then-toddler. It’s a special circle of emotions that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

So, my friend...

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22 Divorce Quotes to Help You Survive the Holidays with Your Heart Intact divorce coach holidays life after divorce quotes

The holidays are hard enough on their own. Add divorce to the mix and suddenly every twinkling light, every family gathering, every song on the radio can feel like a small ambush.

Your first set of holidays after divorce will be weird, scary, and painful. But they can also hold moments of genuine j...

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Talking to Your Family Members at the Holidays About Your Divorce holidays kids and divorce

Decide what you are going to say about your divorce before the subject comes up at the table, and keep it short. You do not owe anyone a full account. Ask family to stay out of the parts that are not theirs: picking sides, giving legal or financial advice, shaming your ex, criticizing your settlemen...

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Your First Christmas After Divorce: How to Get Through It co-parenting holidays kids and divorce life after divorce

The first Christmas after divorce is the hardest one, and it helps to expect that rather than be blindsided by it. Set your expectations low, decide the schedule with your co-parent in advance, keep the traditions that still feel right and replace the ones that don't, and give yourself permission to...

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A Letter of Gratitude to My Ex: What Co-Parenting with Appreciation Really Looks Like co-parenting divorce coach holidays kids and divorce life after divorce

Writing a letter of gratitude to an ex is not something most people plan to do. In the early weeks and months after a divorce, gratitude is usually the last thing on your mind.

But for those navigating life as co-parents after divorce, something can shift. The person who once felt like an adversary...

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Divorce and the Holidays: A Survival Guide co-parenting holidays kids and divorce life after divorce

The holidays during or after a divorce are hardest the first year, and they get easier. What helps most: agree the schedule with your co-parent early rather than in December, decide in advance what you will say to family so you are not improvising over dinner, keep the traditions that still work and...

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